Thursday Night Jazz: Paul Thompson Quintet Celebrates the Music of Jaco Pastorius

Photo Credit: David Roth

This November concert at City of Asylum welcomes Paul Thompson, one of Pittsburgh’s greatest jazz bassists and disciple of the bass-drum connection, for a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Jaco Pastorius’ eponymous debut album. 

Jaco Pastorius, recognized by many as the man who revolutionized how the bass guitar is played, was a drummer before he ever picked up a bass. In high school, fate intervened, and Pastorius became the bassist in the soul cover band, Las Olas Brass. The rest was history. Throughout his illustrious career, Pastorius built a reputation as a highly regarded American jazz bassist, composer, and producer, widely considered to be one of the greatest and most influential bassists of all time

Featured Musicians:

Scott Boni: sax

Joe Sheehan: piano

Paul Thompson: bass

George Heid III: drums

About the Artist:

Paul Thompson has been playing bass professionally for over 30 years, including recording and touring stints with trumpeter Maynard Ferguson and saxophonist Stanley Turrentine. Recent playing credits include Hubert Laws, Geri Allen, Michael Feinstein, and Bob James. Currently, he can be seen playing around the Pittsburgh area with Salsamba!, THOTH Trio, the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra, in pit orchestras at the Byham and New Hazlett Theaters, or performing with some of our city’s rich jazz community. An active educator, Paul currently teaches Jazz Bass at Duquesne University and West Virginia University and is an Adjunct Instrumental Music teacher at his alma mater, Pittsburgh CAPA 6–12 Performing Arts School. More at: http://www.youtube.com/pdbass 

About Your Visit: 

The in-house restaurant, Cucina Alfabeto, is open for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Please visit OpenTable or call 412-435-1111 to make a reservation.